oOo
It was the softest touch, sweet and tender, and Bella felt as if she was floating. His lips seemed to melt with hers, and she closed her eyes. Edward pulled her a little closer, and kissed her again. It was chaste and warm and eager, and all too soon, it was over.
"I'm sorry, " he mumbled, still so close that their noses were touching. He was beginning to draw back, but Bella twined her arms around his neck.
"Please don't be."
Green, glowing eyes were staring down into hers.
"No?"
"No."
And with that, he kissed her again, equally pure and fervent, and Bella responded, pulling him closer, her fingers sliding into his hair. They never deepened the kiss, but the sensations it caused in Bella's stomach were of the most exciting kind.
"Bella," he whispered, his hot breath on her lips. "I'm… You…"
"Shh," she murmured. "Everything's okay."
"Okay," he repeated, and they fell silent, their foreheads touching.
They didn't move for a long time, enjoying their closeness, warmth spreading from body to body. She hadn't expected him to feel so broad and muscular. Her arms slid down and met around his waist, while Edward was cradling her body to his as if she was some long-lost treasure.
"Will you let me call you a taxi?" he asked after what felt like a sweet eternity. His voice was hoarse. "Or if you'd like, you could sleep here, in the guestroom…"
"No," she murmured, pulling slightly away. She hated to leave his warmth, but she needed to look at him.
His cheeks were slightly rosy, a cute contrast to his otherwise pale face.
"No to the taxi, or to the guestroom?"
"No to the guestroom. I need to get up so early, and I'm going to need my clothes for work…"
"Okay." It was a sweet breath on her lips. "Then I'll call a cab."
"You will have to lend me the money, because I don't have anything on me. And I'm going to pay you back."
"Okay." He gave her nose a little peck with his lips before he let her go so he could get his phone.
"Just a few minutes," he said when he was finished. He helped her into her coat.
They looked at each other.
"Are you okay?" she asked, stroking her thumb over his cheek.
His face held the answer to her question before he could speak.
"You make everything better, Bella." He swallowed. "Thank you."
"No." She shook her head. "Don't thank me. You make everything better, too."
She was surprised when he kissed her again, just once.
The doorbell rang and he groaned unhappily before he opened it. The cab was waiting at the curb.
"Just one minute," he called out.
Grabbing his wallet, he handed Bella a note.
"Don't you forget to pay me back," he said sternly, but with a twinkle in his eye.
"I will."
"Okay." He pulled her into his arms one more time, and Bella let him place a succession of tiny kisses on her lips.
"I'll call you tomorrow?" he murmured.
"Yes," she sighed. "Tomorrow." Standing on her tiptoes, she gave him one last kiss.
He waved at her when she opened the door of the cab, and she waved back.
"Send me a message when you're home, okay?" he called.
"Okay!" She shut the door and told the driver her address as she fastened her seat belt. Looking back though the rear window, she saw him at his front door, still waving.
oOo
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Hugs and kisses to all of you!